Pluggable optical transceiver having inner optical connection and optical connector installed therein

ABSTRACT

A pluggable optical transceiver is disclosed. The transceiver comprises a plurality of OSAs, an optical member and a plurality of inner fibers to couple the optical member with OSAs. The inner fibers each provides an inner connector to couple with one of OSAs. The housing, which installs the OSAs, the optical member and the inner fiber, is made of metal and has a grooves into which the inner fibers is set so as to arrange them orderly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/916,080, filed Oct. 29, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent applications Ser. No. 61/261,105 filed Nov. 13, 2009, and Ser. No. 61/314,801 filed Mar. 17, 2010, which are incorporated herein by references.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pluggable optical transceiver with a function of at least one of the optical transmission and the optical reception, in particular, the invention relates to an optical transceiver able to transmit a plurality of optical signals each having a specific wavelength different from others, and to receive a plurality of optical signals each having a specific wavelength different from others.

2. Related Background Art

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,461B, has disclosed an optical transceiver providing an optical connector coupled with an optical plug attached in a tip of the external fiber. An optical fiber is drawn from the optical connector to couple with an optical subassembly (hereafter denoted as OSA) that installs a semiconductor device, such as semiconductor laser diode (LD) for a transmitter OSA (TOSA) or a semiconductor photodiode (PD) for a recover OSA (ROSA).

The transmission speed of the optical communication has been accelerated and the transmission speed over 10 Gbps, typically 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps, is now available. The semiconductor device in the OSA is quite hard to follow such high speed alone. The intelligent system of the wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is ordinarily applied. For instance, four signal channels each showing the speed of 10 Gbps and having a specific wavelength different from others are wavelength multiplexed, which equivalently shows the transmission speed of 40 Gbps, and thus multiplexed optical signal is transmitted in the single optical fiber. In the system with the speed of 100 Gbps, four (4) signal channels each having the speed of 25 Gbps are multiplexed or ten (10) signal channels each showing the speed of 10 Gbps are multiplexed to realize the equivalent transmission speed of 100 Gbps. One agreement, CFP-MSA-Draft-rev-1.0, has specified the standard of the 100 Gbps transmission.

An optical transceiver satisfying the WDM standard installs a plurality of TOSAs and ROSAs, an optical multiplexer and an optical demultiplexer. Another type of an optical transceiver for the WDM communication installs an optical unit integrating a plurality of TOSAs with an optical multiplexer and another optical unit integrating a plurality of ROSAs with an optical demultiplexer to eliminate or to decrease the number of inner fibers connecting the optical components. However, such an integrated optical device has a demerit that the whole component is necessary to be replaced even when only one of the TOSAs or only one of the ROSAs becomes failure. In particular, the TOSAs and the ROSAs operable in such high speed region are hard to be available, or often have a restricted margin for the specification; a situation to replace a degraded OSA would be often encountered.

For the optical transceiver installing TOSAs and ROSAs individually, inner fibers coupling each component are scattered. Moreover, the optical fiber has an inherent characteristic to increase the transmission loss by the bending. Conventional optical fiber limits the least bent radius of 15 mm. Even an improved fiber limits the minimum bent radius to be 5 mm. Thus, a surplus length is necessary to be prepared for the inner fibers, which means that lengthy fibers run within the optical transceiver disorderly without adequate wiring of the inner fibers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to an optical communication apparatus for the WDM communication system. The apparatus comprises a plurality of optical components, an electronic component, a plurality of inner fibers and a housing. The optical components include an optical receptacle, a plurality of OSAs, and an optical unit. The OSAs may be TOSAs or ROSAs, while, the optical unit may be an optical multiplexer or an optical demultiplexer depending on the type of OSAs. The multiplexer may multiplex a plurality of optical signals each transmitted from respective TOSAs and having a specific wavelength different from others. The optical demultiplexer may demultiplex a optical signal externally provided into a plurality of optical signals each having a specific wavelength different from others; and transmits demultiplexed optical signal to respective ROSAs. The electronic component includes a circuit mounted on a circuit board and electrically coupled with the TOSAs and ROSAs. The inner fibers may optically couple the optical receptacle with the optical multiplexer and the optical demultiplexer; and couple the optical multiplexer with the TOSAs and the optical demultiplexer with the ROSAs. The housing may install the optical components, the electrical components and the inner fibers therein. One feature of the communication apparatus according to the present invention is that the housing is divided into two sections, one of which installs only the optical components, while, the other installs only the electronic components, and the inner fibers may be coupled with optical components in the pluggable form.

Because the housing is distinguishably divided into two sections, the inner fibers may run under the optical components in the one section and under the circuit board in the other section. The optical components may further include a plurality of inner connectors, a front tray and a latch unit. Each inner connector is provided in or associated with the end of the inner fiber and coupled with OSA in the pluggable form. The front tray may support the inner connector and arrange the inner fiber. The latch unit may support the OSA and may be coupled with the inner connector in two positions.

The front tray may provide a plurality of slots. Each of the slots may receive one of inner fibers and provide a pair of latch fingers to engage with the inner connector. The slot may further provide an eave to prevent the fiber set therein from straying out and a guide in a side thereof to turn the inner fibers running the side of the front tray from the longitudinal direction to the lateral direction.

The communication apparatus of the present invention may further provide a rear tray under the circuit board in the other section of the housing. The rear tray may also guide the inner fiber drawn from the one section so as to head to the one section again. The rear tray may also provide a plurality of eaves to prevent the inner fiber set therein from straying out.

The one section of the housing of the present communication apparatus may provide a plurality of terraces for mounting the optical components thereon, where the terraces may form a plurality of grooves to set the inner fibers therein; and the other section of the housing may also provide a plurality of terraces whose outer periphery may define a bent curvature of the inner fibers. The terraces in the other section may come in contact with the circuit mounted on the circuit board to secure a heat dissipating path from the circuit to the housing.

The grooves formed in the terraces of the one section may provide two pairs, the first pair of which has a distance between the grooves substantially equal to a distance between two fibers in the SC-type optical receptacle; while, the second pair of grooves has another distance therebetween which is substantially equal to a distance between two fibers in the LC-type optical receptacle. Accordingly, when the optical receptacle of the present communication apparatus is the SC-type, the inner fibers drawn from the optical receptacle may be set in the first pair of grooves, while, when the LC-type optical receptacle is installed, the second pair of the grooves may receive the inner fibers drawn from the optical receptacle.

The housing of the present optical communication apparatus may provide an area to mount the optical receptacle thereon. The area may be partitioned from the one section by the rear wall and the side walls. The optical receptacle may be mounted in this area as putting an electrically conductive sheet between the rear of the optical receptacle and the rear wall, which may shield the one section and the other section from the exterior effectively.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method to assemble the optical communication apparatus. The apparatus comprises the optical components, the electrical components, a plurality of inner fibers, and a housing. The optical components include an optical receptacle, an optical unit, and a plurality of OSAs, while, the electrical components include an electronic circuit mounted on a circuit board. The inner fibers each couples one of the OSAs with the optical unit; and the housing installs these optical components only in the one section and, electrical components in only in the other section different from the one section, and the inner fibers. The method of the invention may comprise steps of: (a) installing the optical unit within the housing, (b) arranging the inner fibers extended from the optical unit; (c) installing the circuit board, which is assembled with OSAs, into the housing so as to cover the inner fibers; and (d) coupling the OSAs optically with the inner fibers.

One feature of the present method is that the inner fibers may be optically coupled with the OSAs after arranging the inner fibers within the housing and installing the OSAs into the housing. The step of arranging the inner fibers may include steps of: (b-1) setting the inner fibers in the grooves formed in one section of the housing, where the one section installs only the optical components; and (b-2) bending the inner fibers along a periphery of the terrace formed in the other section of the housing, where the other section installs only the electronic components. Moreover, the step of installing the circuit board may include step of: (c-1) covering the inner fibers set in the grooves and bent along the periphery by the circuit board.

In a modification, the step of arranging the inner fibers may include steps of: (b-1)′ setting a rear tray in the other section of the housing; and (b-2)′ bending the inner fibers with a curvature defined by the rear tray; and the step of installing the circuit board may include a step of: mounting the circuit board on the rear tray so as to cover the inner fibers set in the rear tray.

In the process of the invention, the step of arranging the inner fibers may include steps of: (b-1) covering the inner fibers by a front tray and a latch unit to be mounted in the one section of the housing, (b-2) guiding each of the inner fibers in one of slots of the front tray; and the step of installing the circuit board may include steps of (c-1) coupling the inner connector attached to an end of the inner fiber with the front tray, (c-2) setting the inner connector in a retreated position, (c-3) mounting the latch unit in the one section of the housing, and (c-4) installing the OSAs assembled with the circuit board in advance on the latch unit; and the step of coupling the OSAs with the inner fibers may include step of setting the inner connector in a coupling position.

Still another aspect of the present invention relates to an optical transceiver that comprises an OSA, an inner fiber that provides in one end thereof, a ferrule, an elastic member and a flange, a tray to guide the inner fiber, and an inner connector. The inner connector of the present optical transceiver, which receives the one end of the inner fiber, is assembled with a stopper to hold the elastic member within the inner connector, is movably supported by the tray, and is engaged with the OSA through the latch unit. A feature of the present optical transceiver is that the inner connector is movable between a retreated position and a coupled position. In the coupled position, the ferrule may be optically coupled with the OSA, while, the inner connector does not interfere with an installation of the latch unit pre-assembled with the OSA at the retreated position.

The inner connector of the invention may provide a groove to receive a latch finger of the tray, where the groove may provide projection to determine the retreated position and the coupled position. In an example, the groove may provide two projections, and the retreated position may be determined between the deeper side projection and the end wall of the groove, while, the coupled position may be set between two projections. In another example, when the groove provides three projections, the retreated position may be set between the deepest projection and the end wall, while, the coupled position may be determined between the shallower two projections.

The inner connector of the invention may provide the first portion to receive the inner fiber, the second portion to receive the elastic member and the flange, and a partition wall to divide the first and second portions. The elastic member may be set between the partition wall and the flange; accordingly, the ferrule is pushed out from the stopper.

Still another aspect of the present invention relates to an optical transceiver that comprises a resin made optical receptacle, a housing and an electrically conductive sheet. The optical receptacle may include a sleeve assembly to output an inner fiber with the pig-tailed arrangement. The housing provides an area to install the optical receptacle thereon. This area may be surrounded by the side walls and the rear wall. The conductive sheet may be put between the optical receptacle and the rear wall.

The sleeve assembly may further include first and second cylinders, and a flange between the cylinders. The inner fiber is output from the second cylinder in the pig-tailed arrangement. The first cylinder protrudes into a cavity of the optical receptacle by passing through the conductive sheet. The optical receptacle may provide a rear wall, which pushes the conductive sheet against the rear wall of the housing, with a step to receive the flange of the sleeve assembly. The housing may further provide a face cover to push the optical receptacle against the rear wall of the housing as sandwiching the conductive sheet.

A feature of the optical receptacle is that it may provide a lug in respective sides thereof, while, the side wall of the housing may provide a pocket that receives the lug. The lug is attached to the side of the receptacle in one end thereof, and bent vertically from the attached portion. The bent portion may be elastically rotate around the attached portion, which may further push the conductive sheet against the rear wall of the housing. The lugs in both sides of the optical receptacle may be diagonally formed, and the pockets in respective side walls may be also diagonally formed. The lug may provide a rib crushable by abutting against the wall of the pocket. The conductive sheet may be a non-woven fabric, or may be made of rubber coated with an electrically conductive material that comes in contact with the rear wall of the housing.

The rear wall of the housing may provide pair of double cuts. One of the paired cuts may have a pitch equal to a pitch between two optical axes of the SC-connector, while the other paired cuts may have another pitch equal to a pitch between two optical axes of the LC-connector. The optical receptacle of the present invention may be applicable to the SC-type optical connector and the LC-type optical connector.

The optical receptacle may provide a plurality of bosses in the rear wall thereof. The bosses may abut against the conductive, thus, the conductive sheet may securely come in contact with the rear wall of the housing. The bosses may be provided in whole outer surface of the optical receptacle. When the housing of the present optical transceiver comprises an upper housing and a lower housing, where the optical receptacle is put between these housings, the bosses in the outer surface of the receptacle housing may come in contact with the upper and lower housings, which may effectively and reliably shield the optical transceiver.

Moreover, the optical transceiver of the present invention may provide a shield gasket put between the upper and lower housings, in particular, the shield gasket may be put on the side walls and rear walls formed in lower housing so as to surround the area where the optical receptacle is mounted. The shield gasket may not only come in contact with the upper and lower housings, but in contact with the conductive sheet between the rear of the optical receptacle and the rear wall, which may shield the optical transceiver in further effective and reliable.

According to another aspect of the optical transceiver of the present invention, the optical transceiver comprises a plurality of OSAs, a circuit board, a plug board, and a housing. The circuit board mounts an electronic circuit coupled with the OSAs thereon. The plug board provides an electronic plug which mates with the host connector. The plug is electrically connected with the circuit through an electrical connector set between the plug board and the circuit board. A feature of the optical transceiver of the invention is that the plug board is rigidly supported by the housing; while, the circuit board is softly supported by the housing. The housing may comprise the upper housing and the lower housing, where the plug board is put between the upper and lower housings, and the circuit board is also put between the upper and lower housings but through gaskets.

The plug board may provide a rib in both top and back surfaces thereof, while the upper and lower housings each provides a groove to receive the rib in the plug board. A metal cover, whose shape may trace the shape of the rib, may be interposed between the rib and the groove. The metal cover may provide a plurality of legs and fins each coming in contact with and pushing the walls of the groove. Thus, the plug board may be rigidly supported by the upper and lower housings.

On the other hand, the circuit board may provide ground patterns in side portions of top and back surfaces thereof. The baskets may come in contact with the ground pattern. The ground patterns in the front and back surfaces formed in the same side portion of the circuit board may be connected with a via holes or an enveloping pattern covering the edge of the circuit board, which may effectively shield the circuit mounted on the circuit board. The upper and lower housings may provide a groove in a side portion thereof to receive respective gaskets. In a modification, the gasket may be a U-shaped metal member with a slab portion and a pair of legs. The slab portion may envelope the edge of the circuit board, while, the legs may provide fins that come in contact with the upper and lower housings. Even the gasket has the arrangement above described, the upper and lower housings may softly put the circuit board therebetween, and effectively shield accompanied with the gasket, the circuit on the circuit board.

Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a pluggable optical transceiver that is plugged with the host system and have a distinguishable feature that the optical transceiver may be prevented from being released from the host system when the optical transceiver receives the external connector in the optical receptacle thereof, and, in addition to the specific function described above, the optical transceiver of the present invention may be also prevented from receiving the external connector when the optical transceiver is free from the host system, that is, when the optical transceiver is not plugged with the host system.

The optical transceiver of the invention comprises an optical receptacle to receive the external connector, a screw latch to engage the optical transceiver with the host system, a latch bar to show the mechanism described above and a housing to install the optical receptacle, the screw latch and the latch bar. That is, the latch bar may protrude in one end thereof into the optical receptacle when the optical receptacle is vacant, while, the screw latch may provide a groove to receive another end of the latch bar.

In an original position of the optical transceiver, where the optical transceiver is free from the host system, the screw latch pushes the other end of the latch bar, accordingly, the one end of the latch bar may protrude into the optical receptacle, where the optical receptacle is prevented from receiving the external optical connector. When the optical transceiver is engaged with the host system by fastening the screw latch to the host connector, the other end of the latch bar may align with the groove of the screw latch, which makes a rest space to receive the other end of the latch bar. Inserting the external connector into the optical receptacle, the external connector may push the one end of the latch bar and the other end of the latch bar may be set within the groove of the screw latch. Thus, the external connector may be engaged with the optical receptacle only when the optical transceiver is plugged with the host system. Moreover, because the other end of the latch bar is received in the groove of the screw latch, the screw latch may be prevented from disengaging with the host connector by the latch bar operating as a stopper, the optical transceiver may be prevented from being released from the host system.

The latch bar may provide an elastic portion, while the housing may provide a space to receive the elastic portion therein. The latch bar may automatically recover the original position thereof by the elastic force caused by operation of the elastic portion within the space. Moreover, the optical receptacle may provide a cut to pass the one end of the latch bar. The latch bar may protrude into the optical receptacle through the cut.

Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a connector assembly to be set within a pluggable optical transceiver. The connector assembly may comprise a latch unit, an inner fiber, and a connector housing. The latch unit supports the OSA and includes a pair of latch fingers. The inner fiber has, in an end portion thereof, a ferrule, a flange, and a coil spring with an end abutting against the flange. The connector housing may comprise first and second spaces, and a center partition that distinguishes said first space from said second space. The first space receives the end portion of the inner fiber as the other end of the coil spring abuts against the center partition. The second space secures the inner fiber continuous to the end portion. A feature of the connector assembly of the present invention is that the first space of the connector housing is engaged with the latch finer of the latch unit to couple the inner fiber optically with the OSA. The first space of the connector housing may provide a pair of side latches each supported by the center partition. The side latch may have a U-shaped cross section within which the latch finger of the lath unit may be secured to engage therewith.

The connector assembly of the invention may further provide a ferrule stopper that is supported by the connector housing so as to put the ferrule, the flange, and the coil spring between the ferrule stopper and the center partition. Thus, the inner fiber and the connector housing may be prevented from disassembling. The ferrule stopper may provide a beam and a pair of legs each extending from the beam so as to form the U-shaped cross section. The beam may have an opening through which the ferrule passes, and the flange in a root of the ferrule may abut against the beam. The legs may provide a tab to be latched with the connector housing. Accordingly, the ferrule, the flange, and the coil spring may be prevented from disassembling with the connector housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other purposes, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B show an optical transceiver according to an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 1A views the optical transceiver from upper front, while, FIG. 1B views the optical transceiver from rear bottom;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the optical transceiver;

FIG. 3 views a host system to which the optical transceiver shown in FIG. 1 is to be mounted;

FIG. 4A shows the inside of the first housing, while, FIG. 4B shows the inside of the second housing;

FIG. 5A magnifies a front portion of the inside of the optical transceiver, and FIG. 5B is a cross section thereof;

FIG. 6A illustrates another type of housing that mounts a rear tray, and FIG. 6B shows the rear tray to which inner fibers are set;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing the circuit board 18 and the plug board 19, FIG. 7B shows the circuit board 18 without any components thereon, FIG. 7C shows a cross section of a side edge portion of the circuit board, and FIG. 7D shows the plug board 19;

FIG. 8A is a horizontal cross section of the optical transceiver showing the circuit board and the gasket put between the housings, FIG. 8B magnifies a side portion of the circuit board shown in FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8C illustrates a modified ground pattern provided on the circuit board;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing another type of a gasket put between two housings, and FIG. 9B is a horizontal cross section showing a side portion of the circuit board and the modified gasket shown in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A shows a metal cover, FIG. 10B shows a modified metal cover, and FIG. 10C is a cross section showing the metal cover, the grooves in the first and second housings, and the ribs in the plug board;

FIG. 11A illustrates the optical multiplexer and inner fibers extended therefrom, and FIG. 11B illustrates the sleeve assembly set in the optical receptacle;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the front tray according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view showing a front tray according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13B shows a front portion of the optical transceiver that installs the front tray shown in FIG. 13A with inner fibers in respective slots of the front tray;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the inner connector coupled with the latch unit;

FIG. 15A shows the inner connector viewed from the rear, while,

FIG. 15B shows the inner connector viewed from the front;

FIG. 16A is an exploded view of an inner connector according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16B shows the assembled inner connector shown in FIG. 16A, FIG. 16C shows a connector body, and FIG. 16D is a cross section showing the inner connector illustrated in FIG. 16B engaged with the latch finger of the front tray;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing another type of the inner connector;

FIG. 18A shows a latch unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18B shows a latch unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19A is a side view of an OSA, and FIG. 19B is a rear view of one slot of the latch unit;

FIG. 20 is a cross section taken along the optical axis of the inner fiber set in the inner connector;

FIG. 21A is a perspective view showing a front portion of the first housing according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 21B is a front view thereof;

FIG. 22A views an optical receptacle according to an embodiment of the invention, which is viewed from the rear, FIG. 22B views the optical receptacle from the front, and FIG. 22C is an exploded view of the optical receptacle;

FIG. 23 shows a process to mount the optical receptacle in the center area of the first housing;

FIG. 24 shows a face cover attached to the housing;

FIG. 25 shows an optical receptacle according to another embodiment of the invention, where the optical receptacle shown in FIG. 25 has the LC type configuration;

FIGS. 26A and 26B show an optical receptacle according to still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 27 shows a screw latch according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 explains a structure prepared in the housing for setting the screw latch shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a latch bar according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 30A and 30B are a cross section and a front view, respectively, of the latch bar and the screw latch when the optical receptacle is free from the external connector, while, FIGS. 30C and 30D are a cross section and a front view, respectively, of the latch bar and the screw latch when the optical receptacle receives the external connector;

FIGS. 31A to 31D show the processes to wire the inner fibers;

FIG. 32 shows a process to set the inner fiber into the front tray;

FIG. 33A shows a process when the inner connector in a position able to couple with the OSAs, while, FIG. 33B shows a process when the inner connector in another position not to interfere the OSAs; and

FIG. 34 shows a process to mount the OSAs and two boards of the circuit board and the plug board on the housing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Next, some preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described as referring to accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same numerals or symbols will refer to the same elements without overlapping explanations.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of an optical transceiver 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 1A views the optical transceiver 1 from upper front, while FIG. 1B views the transceiver from rear bottom. In the description presented below, the front side corresponds to a side where an optical receptacle 14 is implemented, the rear side corresponds to a side where an electrical plug 19 b is installed, the upper or the top corresponds to a side where the first housing 10 a is installed with respect to the second housing 10 b, and the lower or the bottom corresponds to the side the second housing 10 b is implemented. FIG. 3 illustrates the host system on which the optical transceiver 1 is to be mounted. The host system 2 typically provides the system board 2 a, where a pair of rails 3 b and the host connector 3 a is mounted. The face panel 2 b with a port 2 c is provided in the host board 2 a. The optical transceiver 1 of the present invention may be pluggable with the host connector 3 a by inserting it from the port 2 c.

The optical transceiver 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 provides a housing 10 with a size of 128×72×14 mm³, which is decided by a multi-source agreement concerning to, what is called as, the CFP transceiver. The housing 10 of the embodiment is made of metal.

The optical transceiver 1 provides a face cover 12 in the front end of the housing 10. An optical receptacle 14 is assembled in a center portion of the face cover 12 with screws. The housing 10 also provides a pair of screw latches 16 in both ends of the face cover 12. Front end of the screw latch 16 provides a knob 16 a extended from the face cover 12, while the rear end of the screw latch 16 is formed with a thread 16 b. This thread 16 b is to be fastened with a tapped hole provided in respective sides of an electrical connector 3 a prepared in the host system 2; thus, the optical transceiver 1 is to be fixed to the host system 2.

The housing 10 further provides ribs 10 c in respective sides thereof. The rib 10 c provides a space 10 g through which the screw latch 16 passes. The rib 10 c has a function to guide the optical transceiver 1 along the rails 3 b prepared in the host system 2, which facilitates the installation of the optical transceiver 1 on the host system 2 and the engagement of the electrical plug 19 b with the electrical connector 3 a of the host system. The electrical plug 19 b according to the embodiment provides electrical pads, the count of which exceeds a hundred and forty (140) within a full width of 72 mm of the optical transceiver 1, then a pitch between the electrical pads become less than one millimeter. Accordingly, an alignment mechanism like the rib 10 c and the rail 3 b is preferable or inevitable for the engagement of the electrical plug 19 b with the electrical connector 3 a.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the optical transceiver 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 2 views the optical transceiver 1 from front bottom. The housing 10 comprises the upper housing 10 a, which is called as the first housing, and the lower housing 10 b, which is called as the second housing. A plurality of optical and electrical components is installed within a space formed by two housings, 10 a and 10 b. The optical transceiver 1 comprises the optical receptacle 14, an optical multiplexer 20, an optical demultiplexer 22, a front tray 24, two sets of inner connecter 26 and latch unit 28, four (4) ROSAs 30, four (4) TOSAs 32, a circuit board 18, and a plug board 19. Next, respective components will be roughly described.

FIG. 4A shows the inner structure of the first housing 10 a, and FIG. 4B shows the inside of the second housing 10 b.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the inside of the first housing 10 a is divided into five (5) sections, R₁ to R₅. The first section R₁, which positions in the front end of the first housing 10 a, mounts the optical receptacle 14 and two optical components of the optical multiplexer 20, and the optical demultiplexer 22 in respective sides of the optical receptacle 14. The second section R₂ next to the first section R₁ mounts the front tray 24. The third section R₃ next to the second section R₂ mounts the inner connectors 26 and the latch unit 28. The fourth section R₄ next to the third section R₃ mounts the circuit board 18 for the electronic circuit, and the fifth section R₅ mounts the plug board 19 for the electronic plug 19 b. The ROSAs 30 and the TOSAs 32 are set in the rear end of the third section R₃.

In the present optical transceiver 1, only the fourth section R₄ installs the electronic components, and the other sections, R₁ to R₃, mount the optical components. The plug board 19 is protected with the rear end 10 f of the first housing 10 a as a ceiling. Thus, the optical transceiver 1 of the present embodiment clearly distinguishes the sections that mount the optical components from the section that installs the electronic components. Moreover, the optical coupling between the OSAs, 30 and 32, and the inner fibers are carried out through the inner connector 26 and the latch unit 28 without using any fiber splicing.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the inside of the first housing 10 a provides a plurality of complex structures. A center of the first section R₁, provides an area 11 a to mount the optical receptacle 14. Both sides of the center area 11 a are prepared for mounting the optical multiplexer 20 and the optical demultiplexer 22. Two optical components, 20 and 22, are set in respective area by screws.

The second section R₂ is prepared for mounting the front tray 24. The second section R₂ is thicker than the first section R₁ so as to form the terrace 11 b. The terrace 11 b provides a plurality of grooves G₂, and six grooves G₂ are formed in the present embodiment, within which the inner fibers for connecting the optical receptacle 14 with the optical multiplexer 20 and the optical demultiplexer 22, those for connecting the optical multiplexer 20 with the TOSAs 32, and those for connecting the optical demultiplexer 22 with the ROSAs 30, are guided and set.

The front tray 24 is fixed on the terrace 11 b with a screw by screwing it in the center hole 11 c. The both sides of the terrace 11 b provide a screw hole to fix the second housing 10 b to the first housing 10 a.

The inner connectors 24 are mounted in a front end of the third section R₃, where a terrace 11 d is formed. This terrace 11 d provides six grooves G₄ continuous to the former groves G₂ in the second section R₂. Mounting the front tray 24 and the inner connectors 26 in respective regular positions, the inner fibers secured in the grooves G₂ and G₃ are hidden by these components, 24 and 26, which may prevent the inner fibers from straying out from the grooves, G₂ and G₄.

The rear side of the third section G₃ mounts the latch unit 28. The terrace 11 d in the third section R₃ continues to a terrace 11 e in the third section R₃. Moreover, the grooves G₄ in the front side of the third section R₃ also continue to the grooves G₆ of the third section R₃. However, the count of the grooves G₆ reduces to four (4) by unifying outer two grooves into the single groove. The rear end of the third section G₃ provides a plurality of saddles 11 f to mount the OSAs, 30 and 32, whose shape corresponds to the outer shape of the stem of the OSAs, 30 and 32. The OSAs, 30 and 32, may be mounted on these saddles 11 f so as to put a thermal sheet between the stem and the saddle 11 f, and to set the flange thereof in the latch unit 28. Then, fixing the latch unit 28 to the first housing 10 a by the screws, the OSAs, 30 and 32, are aligned with the first housing 10 a.

The forth section R₄ also provides still another terrace 11 g and grooves G₈ that are continuous to the former grooves G₆. The inner fibers set in the groves G₈ turn in the forth section R₄ and head to respective target components. Accordingly, the terrace 11 g has a curved plane shape defining the curvature of the inner fiber. This terrace 11 g provides a plurality of double terraces in positions facing the IC on the circuit board 18, for instance, a driver circuit to drive the light-emitting device in the transmitter unit and a clock and data recovery circuit in the receiver unit. Theses ICs, as already described, consume large power among components on the circuit board 18. The heat generated in these ICs is effectively dissipated to the first housing 10 a through the double terraces, 11 g and 11 h. The double terrace 11 h may come in contact with the ICs directly or indirectly through a thermal sheet.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the inside of the second housing 11 b and the gasket 34 a attached thereto according to an embodiment of the invention. The second housing 11 b includes first to three sections, Q₁ to Q₃, and an area 11 n where the optical receptacle 14 is to be mounted thereon. The first section Q₁ corresponds to the first section R₁, the second section Q₂ corresponds to the second and third sections, R₂ and R₃, and the third section Q₃ corresponds to the fourth section R₄ of the first housing 10 a.

The gasket 34 a runs in both side ends in the first to third sections, Q₁ to Q₃, in the front end of the first section Q₁, and the rear end of the center area 11 n. The second housing 11 b, as shown in FIG. 4B, provides a plurality of bosses 11 m in an inner side of a path along which the gasket 34 a runs. The boss 11 m may temporarily set the gasket 34 a during the assembly of the optical transceiver 1. The second housing 10 b may provide, instead of the boss 11 m, a tiny wall along the inner side of the side wall 11 o. The tiny wall may also prevent the gasket from scattering during the assembly of the optical transceiver 1.

The optical receptacle 14 receives an external optical connector, which is not illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, and optically couples external fibers in the external connector with the optical devices in the optical transceiver 1 to carry out the full-duplex and wavelength division multiplexed optical communication. Referring to FIG. 2, the optical receptacle 14 comprises a housing 14 a, a sleeve holder 14 b, a conductive sheet 14 c and two sleeves, 20 c and 22 c. The optical receptacle 14 is set in a front center space 11 d formed by two housings, 10 a and 10 b.

The face panel 12 provides an optical port 12 a in a center thereof. The face panel 12 is fixed to the front wall 10 d of the first housing 10 with screws, which exposed two cavities of the optical receptacle 14 in the optical port 12 a. The optical receptacle 14 is put between not only two housings, 10 a and 10 b, but between the face panel 12 and the rear wall 11 j in the rear side of the center space 11 a accompanied with the sleeve holder 14 b, the conductive sheet 14, and the sleeves, 20 c and 22 c. The receptacle housing 14 a provides two cavities into which the sleeves, 20 c and 22 c and a pair of latch fingers of the sleeve holder 14 b protrude. The physical dimensions of the latch finger and the sleeves, 20 c and 22 c, obey the standard of the, what is called as, the SC connector in this embodiment. An inner fiber is extended from the end of the sleeves, 20 c and 22 c, by the pig-tailed arrangement; specifically, the pig-tailed fiber is extracted from the sleeve through the U-shaped or the semi-circular cut formed in the rear wall of the space. The conductive sheet 14 c is put between the rear wall 11 j and the flange of the sleeve 20 c to eliminate the leakage of the electro-magnetic radiation from the inside of the optical transceiver 1.

The optical multiplexer 20 and the optical demultiplexer 22 are mounted in respective sides of the optical receptacle 14. The optical multiplexer 20 multiplexes four (4) optical signals each having a specific wavelength different from others and being emitted from respective TOSAs 32. While, the optical demultiplexer 22 divides an optical signal provided from the external fiber into four (4) optical signals each having different wavelengths from others and provides these optical signals to respective ROSAs 30.

Two inner fibers each extracted from respective sleeves, 20 c and 22 c, enter the optical multiplexer 20 and the optical demultiplexer 22 from the rear side thereof after wired in the housing 10. The connection of these two inner fibers with the optical multiplexer 20 and the optical demultiplexer 22 is also the pit-tailed configuration. As described later, the optical transceiver 1 according to the embodiment provides four inner fibers connecting the optical multiplexer 20 with four TOSAs 32, and other four inner fibers connecting the optical demultiplexer 22 with four ROSAs 30. Thus, total 8 inner fibers are wired within the housing 10 as being guided by the front tray 24.

The front tray 24 may guide four inner fibers drawn from the optical multiplexer 20 to the TOSAs 32, and other four inner fibers drawn from the optical demultiplexer 22 to the ROSAs 30. The optical transceiver 1 optically couples plural optical components in the housing 10 thereof. Accordingly, the processing of surplus lengths of the inner fibers is a subject to enhance the productivity of the optical transceiver 1. The front tray 24 in the housing 10 may orderly arrange the lengthened inner fibers. Moreover, the first housing 10 a may be made of metal die-casting and has an enough thickness to form grooves to guide the optical fiber therein. By arranging the lengthened inner fibers in the grooves and by the front tray 24, the productivity of the optical transceiver 1, in particular, the assembling time may be shortened and the possibility to cause the damage on the inner fiber may be reduced.

Two sets of inner connectors 26 are provided in the rear side of the front tray 24. One set of inner connectors 26 is coupled with inner fibers drawn from the optical demultiplexer 22 to the ROSA 30, while the other set of the inner connectors 26 is coupled with the other inner fibers drawn from the optical multiplexer 20 to the TOSA 32. The number of inner connectors corresponds to the number of the ROSAs 30 and the TOSAs 32, and may be separable so as to mate with respective ROSAs 30 and TOSAs 32. The inner connectors 26 may be individually operable.

As described later in the specification, surplus lengths of the inner fibers are set in the front tray 24 and in the grooves formed in the housing 10 during the assembly of the optical transceiver 1, and the inner connectors 26 are temporarily mated with fingers of the front tray 24. Setting the ROSAs 30 and the TOSAs 32 accompanied with latch unit 28 on the housing 10 a, the latch unit 28 faces the inner connectors 26. Then, sliding the inner connectors 26 rearward to latch the inner connectors 26 with respective latch units 28, the inner fibers drawn from the optical multiplexer 20 may couple with the TOSAs 32, and the other inner fiber drawn from the optical demultiplexer 22 may couple with the ROSAs 30. Thus, the optical coupling between the OSAs, 30 and 32, and the external fiber may be realized through the coupling mechanism of the inner connectors 26 and the latch unit 28. Accordingly, even when only one of OSAs, 30 and 32, causes a failure, this troubled OSA may be easily and promptly replaced only by releasing only one of the inner connectors 26 corresponding to the troubled optical subassembly from the latch unit 28.

The optical transceiver 1 of the embodiment installs the circuit board 18 and the plug board 19 in the rear of the OSAs, 30 and 32. The circuit board 18 installs a plurality of electrical components in both surfaces thereof, while, the plug board 18 b installs the electrical plug 19 b in the rear end thereof.

Electronic components include several ICs that show the large heat dissipation, for instance, a driver for an LD in the transmitter unit and a clock and data recovery in the receiver unit. To secure the heat conducting path from such ICs, the first housing 10 a provides several terraces in the inner surface thereof to come in thermally contact with such ICs. The housings, 10 a and 10 b, provide a thick metal case formed by the die-casting, which shows large heat capacity, and the thick case makes it possible to form the mesa. Moreover, a depression between the mesas may show a function to guide the inner fibers therein.

The plug board 19 provided in the rear of the circuit board 18 mounts the electronic plug 19 b. The present optical transceiver 1 may show the optical transmission speed of 40 Gbps or 100 Gbps by communicating with the host system in four (4) channels for the transmitter unit and other four (4) channels for the receiver unit. Then, each channel is necessary to transmit an electrical signal with the speed of 10 Gbps or 25 Gbps. Such an electrical signal with high speed is ordinarily handled in accordance with the LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signal) standard. That is, each signal channel is necessary to have a pair of signal pins; then, total 16 pins are necessary to transmit electrical signals. Moreover, the transmission of the high speed signal is inevitable to reinforce the ground (GND) line. A pair of GND lines ordinarily sets the signal line therebetween to secure the signal quality. Still further, because the optical transceiver 1 installs 4 channels for the transmission and other 4 channels for the reception, the power consumption of the whole circuit becomes quite large and a plurality of power pins becomes necessary.

Accordingly, the present optical transceiver 1 provides the electronic plug 19 b with over 140 pins within the full width of 72 mm, which inevitably reduces the pin pitch of the plug 19 b to a distance less than 1 mm and requests the high dimensional accuracy to the circuit board 18. When such an electrical plug with the high dimensional accuracy is prepared in a large board, the circuit board 18 becomes cost ineffective. The present optical transceiver 1 divides the circuit board into two pars, one of which 18 has a large area and mounts the electronics circuit and the other 19 provides the electronic plug 19 b in relatively smaller area.

Next, respective optical and electrical components installed in the optical transceiver 1 will be further described with modifications thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4A and 4B again, the optical transceiver 1 of the present embodiment may provide two gaskets, 34 a and 34 b, which have a rod shape and made of elastic member, typically, rubber tube with metal coating.

The gasket 34 a runs, in the section Q₁ corresponding to the first section R₁, on the side wall and the walls defining the area 11 n to mount the optical receptacle 14 therein as illustrated in FIG. 4B. In the section Q₂ corresponding to the second and third sections, R₂ and R₃, the gasket 34 a runs on the side wall of the second housing 10 b. In the section Q₃ corresponding to the forth section R₄, the gasket 34 a is set in the groove 10 o provided in the top of the side walls and runs along the ground pattern on the circuit board 18. The other gasket 34 b is set in the groove 10 h of the first housing 10 a and runs along the other ground pattern provided in the back surface of the circuit board 18.

Assembling the first housing 10 a with the second housing 10 b, the first gasket 34 a is put between the housings, 10 a and 10 b, in the first to third sections, R₁ to R₃; while in the fourth section R₄, the gasket 34 a is put between the second housing 10 b and the ground pattern on the surface of the circuit board 18, and the other gasket 34 b is put between the first housing 10 a and the other ground pattern in the back surface of the circuit board 18. This arrangement of the two gaskets, 34 a and 34 b, and the housings, 10 a and 10 b, may electrically shield the circuit on the circuit board 18 from not only the outside of the optical transceiver 1 but the area 11 a where the optical receptacle 14 is mounted.

FIGS. 5A and 5B magnify the front portion of the optical transceiver, where, FIG. 5A is a plan view and FIG. 5B is a cross section thereof. When the second housing 10 b is assembled with the first housing 10 a, the gasket 34 a is held between two housings, 10 a and 10 b. Referring to FIG. 5A, the gasket 34 a may run on the side walls 11 i and the rear wall 11 j of the first housing 10 a so as to surround the center area 11 a. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5B, the gasket 34 a may come in contact with the conductive sheet 14 c put between the optical receptacle 14 and the rear wall 11 j, which may securely shield the space 11 a.

The circuit board 18 will be further described. FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing the circuit board 18 and the plug board 19, FIG. 7B shows the circuit board 18 without any components thereon, FIG. 7C shows a cross section of a side edge portion of the circuit board, and FIG. 7D shows the plug board 19. The optical transceiver 1 according to the present embodiment, as already describe, divides boards for the electronic components into two parts, one of which is the circuit board 18 and the other is the plug board. Two boards, 18 and 19, are coupled with edge connector.

The circuit board 18 mounts a plurality of electrical components. The ROSAs 30 are connected to the circuit board 18 in one surface thereof through respective FPC (flexible printed circuit board 18 d; while, the TOSAs 32 are connected to the circuit board 18 in the other surface also through respective FPC boards 18 d. This arrangement to distinguish the receiver unit from the transmitter unit by the surfaces thereof may reduce the electrical crosstalk between both units. The clock and data recovery ICs 18 r are arranged in a side close to the ROSA 30 of the front surface of the circuit board 18, while, the driver ICs, which are not illustrated in FIG. 6A, are arranged in the side close to the TOSAs 32 but in the back surface. The arrangement of the CDR ICs 18 r and that of the driver ICs make it possible for the optical transceiver 1 of the present embodiment to follow the transmission speed of 40 Gbps or 100 Gbps.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a first housing 110 a according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the first housing 110 a where whole optical components are installed therein. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the first housing 110 a omits the groove G₈ in the fourth section R₄; instead, the fourth section R₄ provides two terraces 111 g. One of the terraces 111 g is formed neighbor to the saddle 111 f in the transmitter side, while the other 111 g is formed in center of the section R₄ in the receiver side. These two terraces 111 g provide an area for arranging the thermal sheet 18 t, whose positions correspond to the position of the driver IC mounted on the circuit board 18. The terrace 111 g forms the double terrace 111 h to which the CDR IC mounted on the first board 18 comes in contact.

Other areas in the fourth section surrounding the terrace 111 g, are formed in flat on which the rear tray 136 is mounted. The rear tray 136 may guide the inner fibers, F₂ to F₈, in the fourth section R₄. The rear tray 136 comprises a primary plate 136 a, a fastened portion 136 b, and a plurality of eaves 136 c. The primary plate 136 a has a shape substantially identical with the opened area in the fourth section R₄. The fastened portion 136 b provides a hole aligned with the tapped hole in the terrace 111 g. The rear tray 136 may be fixed to the first housing 110 a by the screws. The eaves 136 c may control the inner fibers, F₂ to F₈. Specifically, the eaves 136 c each rise from the outer and inner edges of the primarily plate 136 a and are bent inward. The inner fibers, F₂ to F₈, may be covered by the bent portion of the eaves 136 c; thus, the inner fibers, F₂ to F₈, may be prevented from straying out. The surface of the eaves 136 c may come in contact, directly or indirectly through a heat spreader, with the circuit board 18 to secure another heat conducting path from the circuit board 18 to the first housing 110 a.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the circuit board 18 provides an edge connector 18 p in one end thereof, where a plurality of electrical pads are included in the edge connector 18 p. The circuit board 18 also provides edge portions 18 f and a pair of ground patterns 18 e along the respective edges 18 f thereof. Although not shown in FIG. 7B, the back surface of the circuit board 18 also provides the ground pattern 18 e in a position corresponding to the ground pattern 18 e on the front surface 18 a, and these ground patterns 18 e are connected with through holes 18 v as shown in FIG. 7C. The ground pattern 18 e in the front surface 18 a of the circuit board 18 electrically comes in contact with the second housing 10 b through the gasket 34 a, while, the ground pattern 18 e in the back surface comes in contact with the first housing 10 a through the gasket 34 b. Thus, the electronic components mounted on the circuit board 18 are surrounded by the frame ground.

FIG. 8A is a horizontal cross section of the optical transceiver 1, while, FIG. 8B magnifies an edge portion of the optical transceiver 1.

The edges 18 f of the circuit board 18 are put between the first and second housings, 10 a and 10 b, through respective gaskets, 34 a and 34 b. Because the gasket, 34 a and 34 b, is made of elastic member, the circuit board 18 may be elastically supported by the housings, 10 a and 10 b, which may reduce the stress caused in the connection between the circuit board 18 and the plug board 19, namely, in the soldered connection between the pads of the edge connector 18 p and the socket pins 19 g.

Because the gasket, 34 a and 34 b, may be made of electrically conductive material and come in contact with the ground patterns 18 e of the circuit board 18, which enables the frame ground, namely the chassis ground, to be conducted on the circuit board 18.

FIG. 8C is a cross section showing a modified embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 8C also magnifies the edge portion 18 f of the circuit board 18. The embodiment shown in FIG. 8C provides the ground pattern 18 w formed so as to envelope the edge 18 f of the circuit board 18. When the circuit on the circuit board 18 is necessary to be mounted in high density, the circuit board 18 sometimes becomes hard to provide a plurality of ground vias connecting the front and back surfaces thereof. In such a case, the ground pattern 18 w enveloping the edge of the circuit board 18 may provide the chassis ground by coming in contact with the first and second housings, 10 a and 10 b, through the conductive gaskets, 34 a and 34 b.

FIG. 9A shows a modified embodiment of the gasket 134 according to the present invention, while FIG. 9B magnifies the cross section of the edge portion of the circuit board 18 implemented with the modified gasket 134 shown in FIG. 9A. The gasket 134 has the U-shape with the slab portion 134 a and two legs 134 b and 134 c. The U-shaped cross section of the gasket 134 may envelope the edge portion 18 f of the circuit board 18. Moreover, the legs each has a plurality of fins, 134 d and 134 e, where they come in elastically contact with the first and second housings, 10 a and 10 b. The gasket 134 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, may show the function same as those shown by the gasket 34.

Referring to FIG. 7D, the plug board 19 provides a socket portion 19 c and a plug portion 19 f. The socket portion 19 c includes a plurality of pins 19 g and receives the edge connector 18 p of the circuit board 18. The pins 19 g may be soldered to the pads of the edge connector 18 p and electrically connected to respective plug pads 19 b within the plug portion 19 f. Accordingly, mating the pads 19 b of the plug portion 19 f with the connector 3 a on the host system 2, the circuit on the circuit board 18 may be electrically coupled with the host system 2.

The plug board 19 may further include a projection 19 d and a rib 19 e. The projection 19 d is formed in the side of the plug portion 18 f, while, the rib 19 e is formed in both surfaces of the socket portion 19 c. Referring to FIG. 2 again, the optical transceiver 1 may provide a metal cover 35, which may be made of metal plate and has a shape enveloping the rib 19 e, and a groove 10 v in the first housing 10 a. The groove 10 v of the housing 10 a receives the rib 19 e accompanied with the metal cover 35. Similarly, the second housing 10 b may provide the other groove 11 v to receive the rib 19 e in the back surface of the plug board 19 accompanied with another metal cover 35. The metal cover 35 may elastically come in contact with the housings, 10 a and 10 b.

In the arrangement around the plug board 19, the projection 19 d may abut against the rear wall 10 e of the first housing 10 a to position the circuit and plug boards, 18 and 19, when the optical transceiver 1 mates with the electrical connector 3 a of the host system 2. Moreover, because the rib 19 e on the plug board 19 is set within the grooves, 10 v and 11 v, the plug board 19 may be prevented from making backlash when the plug 19 b is extracted from the host connector 3 a. The arrangement of the rib 19 e and the projection 19 d may protect the plug board 19 from the mechanical stress.

Details of the metal cover 35 and the mechanism to be assembled with the plug board 19 will be further described. FIG. 10A shows a metal cover 35 according to an embodiment of the invention. The metal cover 35 has the U-shaped cross section so as to trace the cross section of the rib 19 e in the plug board 19. Specifically, the metal cover 35 includes a slab portion 35 a, a plurality of primary legs 35 b with an extended width and secondary legs 35 d with a narrower width but extending outwardly compared to the primary legs 35 b. The primary legs 35 b are bent in both edges of the slab portion 35 a; while, the secondary legs 35 d are bent in only one edge of the slab portion 35 a. Two legs, 35 b and 35 d, are alternately arranged with each other. The metal cover 35 further provides a plurality of fins 35 c in the slab portion 35 a.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the rear end of the first and second housings, 10 a and 10 b, provides the groove, 10 v and 11 v, respectively, into which the metal cover 35 is set. FIG. 10C is a cross section showing the rib 19 e, the metal cover 35, and the grooves, 10 v and 11 v. The ribs 19 e in both surfaces of the plug board 19 may be covered by the metal cover 35 by the U-shaped cross section thereof, and the metal cover 35 is set within the grooves, 10 v and 11 v, in respective housings, 10 a and 10 b. The secondary legs 35 d and the fins 35 c come in contact to the rear and bottom walls of the grooves, 10 v and 11 v.

FIG. 10B shows a metal cover 135 according to another embodiment of the invention. The metal cover 135 of the present embodiment also has the U-shaped cross section fit to the shape of the rib 19 b. The metal plate 135 of the present embodiment further provides a tab 135 e in addition to the primary and secondary legs, 135 b and 135 d. The tab 135 e extends toward a direction opposite to a direction to which the secondary legs 135 d extends. The tab 135 e of the present embodiment makes the direction of the metal cover easily distinguishable.

In a further modified embodiment, the groove, 10 v and 11 v, may have two types of depths alternately arranged to others. The deeper portion may receive the fin 35 c, that is, the tip of the fin 35 c of the metal cover 35 comes not in contact with the bottom of the groove, 10 v and 11 v. In this embodiment, the metal cover 35 is not affected by the elastic force along the depth direction of the groove, 10 v and 11 v.

The secondary leg 35 d and the rib 19 e may securely prevent the metal cover 35 from sliding within the groove, 10 v and 11 v, which protects the edge connector 18 p and the socket pins 19 g from breakage even when the optical transceiver 1 is set on the host system 2, or removed from the host system 2. On the other hand, the circuit board 18 is elastically supported by the first and second housing, 10 a and 10 b.

Next, the optical multiplexer 20 and the optical demultiplexer 22 will be described accompanied with the inner fibers, F₂ to F₈, extending therefrom. Although FIG. 11A shows a perspective view of the optical multiplexer 20 with the inner fibers, F₂ and F₆, the same arrangement with those shown in FIG. 11A are applicable to the optical demultiplexer 22 and the inner fibers, F₄ and F₈.

In the rear end of the optical multiplexer 20, two inner fibers F₆ heading to the TOSAs 32 are output from one side, while, the other side thereof outputs three inner fibers, F₆ and F₂. These inner fibers, F₂ and F₆, have the pig-tailed configuration. During the assembly of the optical transceiver 1, the optical multiplexer 20 with five inner fibers, F₂ and F₆, is mounted on the first housing 10 a. Respective lengths of the inner fibers, F₂ and F₆, are pre-adjusted in advance to the installation because the positions of the optical components are predetermined and the lengths of the fibers connecting them are also determined. The optical transceiver 1 of the present embodiment installs the inner connectors to couple the inner fibers F₆ with the TOSAs 32 without using any fusion splicing of the fibers. Fusion splicing is generally necessary to prepare a surplus length of fibers, and this surplus length of fibers is necessary to be orderly enclosed within the housing. The present optical transceiver, as described above, uses the inner connectors 26 without preparing any surplus length of the inner fibers, F₂ and F₆.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the sleeve assembly may be made of metal and includes, from the front thereof, the first cylinder 20 c, the flange 20 e and second cylinder 20 f. The second cylinder receives the inner fiber, F₂ and F₄, coming from the optical multiplexer 20, or the optical demultiplexer 22. The sleeve assembly may couple the external fiber inserted into the first cylinder with the inner fiber, F₂ and F₄, secured in the second cylinder 20 f, then, the external fiber may optically couple with the TOSAs 32.

Next, the front tray 24, the inner connectors 26 and the latch unit 28 installed in the optical transceiver 1 according to the present embodiment will be further described.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the front tray 24 of an embodiment of the present invention. The tray 24, as already described, provides four (4) slots 24 a for guiding the inner fibers F₆ coupled with the optical multiplexer 20 with the TOSAs 32 and other four (4) slots 24 a for guiding the inner fibers F₈ connecting the optical demultiplexer 22 with the ROSAs 30. The slots 24 a have the same pitch in the rear side thereof. The pitch is substantially equal to the arrangement of the OSAs, 30 and 32; but the slots 24 a are gradually bent toward the center as closing the optical receptacle 14.

Respective slots 24 a accompany with a pair of latch fingers 24 b in the rear end thereof. The latch fingers 24 b may engage with the inner connector 26. The slot 24 a gradually narrows the width thereof from the rear to the front and has a stopper 24 c and an eave 24 d in a front side thereof to prevent the fibers, F₆ and F₈, set within respective slots 24 a from straying out. One side portion of the front tray 24 provides a guiding space 24 e, into which the inner fibers F₈ heading to the fourth region R₄ pass, and a wall 24 g for setting a curvature of the inner fibers F₈, while, the other side portion provides another guide space 24 f and a wall 24 h, through which the inner fivers F₆ heading to the fourth region R₄ pass and the wall 24 h determines the curvature of the fibers F₆. This front tray 24 may be fixed to the first housing 10 a with a screw passing through the center hole 24 r and engaged with the tapped hole 11 c shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view showing a front tray 124 according to another embodiment of the invention, while FIG. 13B is a plan view showing the front tray 124 that sets the inner fibers, F₆ and F₈, in respective slots.

The front tray 124 includes a front portion 124A and a rear portion 124B. The rear portion provides a plurality of slots 124 a with a pair of latch fingers 124 b and a eave 124 d to prevent the inner fiber from straying out and a tapped hole 124 r. The rear portion 124B further provides, in respective sides thereof, a ceiling 124 s and guide walls, 124 t and 124 u, where they constitute a guide slot 124 w for the inner fibers, F₆ and F₈, which are drawn longitudinally along the edge of the first housing 10 a to head to the lateral direction.

The front portion 124A may guide the inner fibers, F₆ and F₈, and provides a front wall 124 v and front eaves 124 x. The front wall 124 v extends laterally to prevent the inner fibers, F₆ and F₈, from protruding forwardly; while, the front eaves 124 x extend backward from the front wall 124 v so as to cover the front portion of the tray 124. The structures, 124 v and 124 x, may prevent the inner fibers, F₆ and F₈, from straying out from the front portion 124A. The inner fibers, F₆ and F₈, which are drawn along the side of the front tray 124 and bent toward lateral direction, may be covered by the ceiling 124 s at the side and the front eaves 124 x.

FIG. 14 illustrates an intermediate assembly of the inner connectors 26, the latch unit 28 and OSAs 30. Next, details of the inner connector 26 will be described. The inner connector 26, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, provides two spaces, 26 a and 26 b, in the rear and front side thereof, respectively. These two spaces, 26 a and 26 b, are partitioned by the center wall 26 c. The rear space 26 a receives the coil member 20 a attached in the end of the inner fibers F₆ shown in FIG. 11A. The rear space 26 a also provides an opening 26 d in respective side fingers 26 s thereof, which are engaged with the projection 28 c of the latch unit 28. The side fingers 26 s has a U-shaped cross section, where the latch finger 28 b of the latch unit, which is described later in detail, is to be set within the U-shape. Engaging the projection 28 c with the opening 26 d, the inner connector 26 may engage with the latch unit 28. Concurrently with this engagement, the ferrule 20 b in the tip of the inner fibers F₆ may be inserted within the bore of the sleeve 30 d of the ROSA 30, which may optically couple the inner fiber F₆ with the semiconductor optical device in the ROSA 30.

The coil member 20 a, which is set in the rear space 26 a, abuts against the center wall 26 c to push the ferrule 20 b toward the ROSA 30 when the inner connector 26 is engaged with the latch unit 28, which makes the physical contact between the tip of the ferrule 20 a and the tip of the stub secured within the sleeve 30 d. Thus, the optical transceiver 1 of the present embodiment may realize the optical coupling between the inner fiber F₆ and the ROSA 30 by the physical contact (PC) arrangement without using any fusion splicing between fibers. Accordingly, even when one of the OSAs, 30 and 32, causes failure, only the degraded OSA may be easily replaced without influencing the rest OSAs.

The front side wall of the inner connector 26 provides a groove 26 e within which two projections 26 f and 26 g are formed. The groove 26 e receives the latch finger 24 b of the front tray 24. The inner connector 26 may slide in front and rear along the latch finger 24 b. When the projection provided in the edge of the latch finger 24 b engages with the first projection 26 g provided in the deeper side of the groove 26 e, that is, the projection of the latch finger 24 b is set in the pocket formed between the deeper side projection 26 g and the end wall of the groove 26 e, the inner connector 26 temporarily positions apart from the latch unit 28 by being pulled in the side of the front tray 24. When the optical coupling between the inner fiber F₆ with the OSA, 30 or 32, is finally performed, the projection of the latch finger 24 b slides within the groove 26 e and engages with the second projection 26 f.

FIGS. 16A to 16D describe an inner connector 126 and the stopper 127 combined with the inner connector 126 according to another embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 16A is an exploded view, FIG. 16B shows an assembled connector, FIG. 16C is a perspective view of the inner connector, and FIG. 16D is a cross section showing the positional relation between the inner connector, the stopper, the inner fiber, and the latch finger 24 b of the front tray 24.

The ferrule 20 b provided in the tip of the inner fiber, F₆ and F₈, accompanies with a flange 20 d. The coil member 20 a, which continues from the ferrule 20 b, is put between the center partition 126 c of the inner connector 126 and this flange 20 d. The inner connector 126, similar to those 26 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, provides two spaces, 126 a and 126 b, the former of which is put between two side fingers 126 s and bottom wall, while, the latter of which is formed by another housing portion 126 t. The stopper 127, which is made of metal plate, includes a beam 127 a and a pair of legs 127 b each extending from the beam 127 a; thus, the stopper 127 has the U-shaped cross section. The beam 127 a provides an opening 127 d, through which the ferrule 20 b passes whose diameter is less than a diameter of the flange 20 d. The end of the leg 127 b provides a tab 127 c that engages with a hook 126 q formed in the top of the center wall 126 c of the inner connector 126.

The inner fiber, F₆ and F₈, is set in the inner connector 126 such that the ferrule 20 b passes the opening 127 d in the beam 127 a of the stopper 127 as the inner fiber, F₆ and F₈, is set within the front space 126 b, and the stopper 127 engages with the inner connector 126 such that the tab 127 c engages with the hook 126 q as abutting the coil member 20 a against the center partition 126 c. Because the diameter of the flange 20 d is larger than that of the opening 127 d, the rearward motion of the ferrule 20 b may be prevented by the stopper 127. Accordingly, the inner fiber, F₆ and F₈, and the ferrule 20 d may be prevented from disassembled with the inner connector 126.

The inner connector 126 of the present embodiment further provides the groove 126 e in the side of the housing 126 t. The groove 126 e includes two pockets, 126 m and 126 n, and three projections, 126 f to 126 h. The first pocket 126 m is put between the first and third projections, 126 f and 126 h, while, the second pocket 126 n is formed in a deeper side of the second projection 126 g. Two pockets, 126 m and 126 n, may receive and engage with the hook in the tip of the latch finger 124 b of the front tray 124.

As illustrated in FIG. 16D, sliding the inner connector 126 rearward to set the tip of the latch finger 124 b in the first pocket 126 m, the tip of the ferrule 20 b moves in the position where the ferrule 20 b optically couples with the OSA, 30 and 32. On the other hand, sliding the inner connector 126 frontward to set the tip of the latch finger 124 b in the second pocket 126 n, the ferrule 20 d may not interfere with the latch unit 128 and the OSA, 30 and 32.

Accordingly, sliding the inner connector 126 rearward to engage the latch finger 124 b with the first projection 126 g at the first pocket 126 m in advance to set the latch unit 128 and the OSA, 30 and 32, in respective position in the housing 10 a, the ferrule 20 b may be set in the regular position without engaging with the latch unit 28. Then, the inner fiber, F₆ and F₈, may be drawn within the first housing 10 a as they are set in the final position. After drawing the inner fiber, F₆ and F₈, fixing them thereat, and sliding the inner connector 126 frontward to engage the latch finger 124 b with the second projection 126 g at the second pocket 126 n, the latch unit 28 and the OSA, 30 and 32, may be assembled within the first housing 10 a without being interfered with the ferrule 20 b and the inner connector 126.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing another type of the inner connector 226 which is modified from that shown in FIG. 16B. The modified inner connector 226 shown in FIG. 17 provides the groove 226 e with two pockets, 226 m and 226 n, but provides only one projection 226 f. Other projections, 126 g and 126 h, appeared in the former embodiment are replaced by a terrace connecting these two projections. This type of the inner connector 226 may show the same function as those appeared in the former embodiment 126; that is, two pockets, 226 m and 226 n, determines two position of the ferrule 20 b.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 18, where FIG. 18A is viewed from the bottom; while, FIG. 18B is viewed from the top thereof, the latch unit 28 provides four slots 28 a corresponding to the number of the ROSAs 30. Each slot 28 a accompanies with a pair of latch fingers 28 b in respective sides thereof, and the latch finger 28 b provides a projection 28 c in the outer surface. This projection 28 c engages with the opening 26 d of the inner connector 26 to mate the inner connector 26 with the latch unit 28. The rear side of the latch unit 28 provides a slit 28 e.

FIG. 19A is a side view of the ROSA 30, while, FIG. 19B shows one slot of the latch unit 28 viewed from the rear. The ROSA 30, as shown in FIG. 19A, has two flanges, 30 a and 30 b along the optical axis thereof, and a neck 30 c between the flanges, 30 a and 30 b. While, the latch unit 28 provides a horseshoe-shaped cut 28 g in the rear wall 28 h thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 19B. The diameter L₂ of the neck 30 c of the ROSA 30 is set to be slightly larger than the frontage L₁ of the cut 28 g. Because the latch unit 28 is made of resin, the ROSA 30 may be easily set in the latch unit 28 as expanding the frontage of the cut 28 g. The ROSA 30, once set in the latch unit 28, becomes hard to be dropped from the cut 28 g, which may enhance the productivity of the intermediate assembly. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the front flange 30 a of the ROSA 30 is set in the slit 28 e of the latch unit 28, and the sleeve 30 d is set within one of the slot 28 corresponding thereto. In FIG. 19A, the OSA, 30 and 32, comprises a sleeve member 30 s that includes, as described above, the sleeve 30 d, the front flange 30 a, a neck 30 c, and the rear flange 30 b; and an optical device 30 e. The sleeve member 30 s may optically couple the inner fiber, F₆ and F₈, with the optical device 30 e; while, the optical device 30 e installs a semiconductor optical device, such as a photodiode for the ROSA 30 and a laser diode (LD) for the TOSA 32.

The latch unit 128 according to another embodiment of the optical transceiver 1 will be described as referring to FIG. 18B. The latch unit 128 of the present embodiment includes, in addition to structures shown in FIG. 18A, a projection 128 k in a side wall thereof. This projection may prevent the inner fibers passing thereunder from straying out.

FIG. 20 is a cross section taken along the optical axis of the inner fiber, F₆ or F₈, set in the inner connector 126. Mating the inner connector 126 with the latch unit 128, the ferrule 20 b of the inner fiber F₆ is inserted within a bore of the sleeve assembly 30 s and the tip thereof comes in physically contact with a tip of the stub 30 u of the OSA 30 set in the latch unit 128. The coil member 20 a comes in one end thereof in contact with the center partition 126 c of the inner connector 126 and the other end comes in contact with the flange 20 d, which pushes the ferrule 20 b toward the OSA 30. Then the physical contact between the tip of the ferrule 20 b and that of the stub 30 u may be securely realized even in a limited inner space of the optical transceiver 1.

Another modification of the inner connector, 26 and 126, has an arrangement of the groove, that is, the first embodiment of the inner connector 26 provides two projections, 26 f and 26 g, while, the second embodiment provides three projections, 126 f to 126 h, or one projection 126 f with the terrace connecting rest two projections, 126 g and 126 h. The still modified inner connector may provide only one projection in the groove 126 e. The one projection merely hooks the latch finger, 24 b and 124 b, to prevent the inner connector 26 and 126, from slipping out from the front tray 24 during the assembly of the optical transceiver 1. Coupling the inner connector with the latch unit 28, the inner connector may be free from the front tray 24. When only a limited space is left between the front tray 24 and the latch unit 28, the arrangement of the inner connector thus described becomes effective.

Another type of the housing 110 and the optical receptacle mounted in the front center of the housing will be described. FIG. 21A is a perspective view showing a front portion of the first housing 110 a accordingly to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 21B is a front view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the front portion of the first housing 110 a includes a center area 111 a partitioned by side walls 111 i and the rear wall 111 j. The rear wall 111 j provides a pair of double cuts each including a base cut S₁ and sub cut S₂. The pitch between the base cuts S₁ is identical with the pitch between the sleeves of the SC type optical connector, while, the pitch between the sub cuts S₂ is narrower than the pitch of the base cuts S₁ and identical with the pitch of the LC type optical connector.

The first housing 110 a includes two types of grooves, G₂S and G₂L, in the second section R₂. The distance between the outer grooves G₂S is substantially identical with the pitch of the base cut S₁, while, the distance between the inner grooves G₂L is equal to that of the sub cut S₂. The first housing 110 a further provides the grooves, G₄S and G₄L, in the third section R₃ and they continue from the corresponding grooves, G₂S and G₂L, in the second section R₂. Thus, these grooves G₂S to G₄L are arranged in straight.

FIGS. 22A to 22C illustrate an optical receptacle with the type of the SC receptacle according to a modification of the present invention, where the optical receptacle 114 is assembled in the center area 111 a. FIG. 22A views the optical receptacle 114 from the rear, FIG. 22B views the optical receptacle 114 from the front, and FIG. 22C is an exploded view of the optical receptacle 114. Similar to the optical receptacle 14 shown in FIG. 2, the modified optical receptacle 114 includes the housing 114 a, the sleeve holder 114 b, and the conductive sheet 114 c.

The optical receptacle 114 includes two cavities, 114A and 114B, to receive the first cylinder, 20 c and 22 c, of the sleeve assembly. Two cavities, 114A and 114B, are partitioned by the rear wall 114 e to which the front surface of the flange 20 e comes in contact. The rear wall 114 e also provides two openings 114 h through which the first cylinder 20 c passes. Each opening 114 h accompanies with a step 114 k in a periphery thereof into which the flange, 20 e and 22 e, of the sleeve assembly is set.

The conductive sheet 114 c is attached to the rear wall 114 e. The conductive sheet 114 c, which is made of electrically conductive material, for instance, it may be made of electrically conductive non-woven fabric. The optical receptacle 114 thus assembled the housing 114 a with the sleeve assemblies, 20 and 22, and the conductive sheet 114 c is installed on the center area 111 a of the first housing 110 a as shown in FIG. 23.

Specifically, the second cylinders, 20 f and 22 f, of the sleeve member are set on respective base cuts S₁ as passing the rear wall 111 j of the center area 111 a. The optical receptacle shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 has the configuration of the SC type receptacle. The conductive sheet 114 c is put between the rear wall 114 e of the receptacle housing 114 a and the rear wall 111 j of the center area 111 a. Screwing the face cover 12 to the front wall 110 d of the first housing 110 a, the face cover 12 presses the optical receptacle 114 against the rear wall 111 j, then, the conductive sheet 114 c may be securely set between the optical receptacle 114 and the rear wall 114 j.

The optical receptacle 114 according to the present embodiment may further provide a lug 114 f secured in the side wall 114 g only by an end portion thereof. The lug 114 f extends up and down from the secured portion. Accordingly, the lug 114 f in the other end thereof may be twisted around the secured portion. The first housing 110, on the other hand, provides a pocket 111 k in both side walls 111 i of the center area 111 a. When the optical receptacle 114 is set on the center area 111 a, the front surface of the lug 114 f abuts against the rear surface of the pocket 111 k, which presses the optical receptacle 114 rearward against the rear wall 111 j and may temporarily fix the optical receptacle 114 until it is finally sandwiched between the face cover 12 and the rear wall 111 j.

Further specifically describing the relation between the face cover 12 and the optical receptacle 114, the face cover 12 as shown in FIG. 24 provides a port 12 a through which the optical receptacle 114 is exposed, and two pairs of holes, 12 b and 12 c, the former of which 12 c passes the screw latch 16 therethrough, while the latter 12 b passes the screw for fixing the face cover 12 to the first housing 110 a. The port 12 a provides in both sides thereof a pressing tab 12 d extending rearward. The pressing tab 12 d abuts the optical receptacle 114 against the front wall 114 j of the optical receptacle 114. Pressed by the face cover 12, the optical receptacle 114 is pushed rearward, and the rear surface of the flange of the sleeve assembly, 20 e and 22 e, comes in contact with the rear wall 111 j as putting the conductive sheet 114 c therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 22C, the conductive sheet 114 c provides holes 114 r, through which the first cylinder, 20 c and 22 c, of the sleeve assembly passes. In the present embodiment, the hole 114 r has diameter slightly less than a diameter of the first cylinder, 20 c and 22 c, then, the first cylinder, 20 c and 22 c, is inserted into the hole 114 r and the opening 114 h as expanding the size of the hole 114 r, which may prevent to cause a gap between the first cylinder, 20 c and 22 c, and the hole 114 r and securely shield the inside of the housing 110.

Still further, the rear wall 114 e of the receptacle housing 114 a provides a plurality of protrusions around the step 114 k which may make the conductive sheet 114 c reliably contact to the rear wall 111 j.

FIG. 25 shows another embodiment of the optical receptacle 214 according to the present invention. The optical transceiver 1 of the present invention may install the optical receptacle 214 with the LC type configuration instead of the SC type receptacle shown in FIGS. 22 a to 23. The pitch between two sleeves of the LC type receptacle is narrower than that of the SC type receptacle. Accordingly, the optical transceiver 1 of the present embodiment provides the double cut; the base cut S₁ and the sub cut S₂, in the rear wall 111 j of the first housing 110 a; where the former cut S₁ is for the SC type optical receptacle and the latter cut S₂ is for the LC type connector. Moreover, the second section R₂ provides two types of guiding grooves, G₂S and G₂L, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B. Two grooves G₂S are prepared for the inner fibers, F₂ and F₄, drawn from the sleeve assembly of the SC type receptacle 114; while, the grooves G₂L are prepared for the inner fibers, F₂ and F₄, output from the LC type receptacle 214. Thus, the optical transceiver 1 according to the present embodiment may be applicable to two types of the optical receptacles, namely, the SC type receptacle and the LC type receptacle.

FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate still another embodiment of the optical receptacle 314 applicable to the optical transceiver 1. The receptacle housing 314 a shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B has features in the lug 314 f and protrusions 314 n distinguishable from the former embodiments.

The lug 314 f in the present embodiment has a crushable rib when the lug 314 is set within the pocket 111 k of the first housing 110 a. Specifically, the lug 314 f provides a rib extending vertically and having a triangular cross section. A width from the tip of the rib to the rear surface of the lug 314 f is slightly greater than a longitudinal size of the pocket 111 k; accordingly, the tip of the rib may be crushed when the lug 314 f is set within the pocket 111 k, which may push the optical receptacle 314 against the rear wall 111 j.

The receptacle housing 314 a further provides a plurality of protrusions, 314 n and 314 m, not only in the periphery of the opening 314 h and the step 314 k but in the top and bottom surfaces of the receptacle housing 314 a. When the first housing 110 a and the second housing 110 b are assembled with others as putting the optical receptacle 314 therebetween, the tip of respective protrusions 314 n may be crushed, which may reliably hold the optical receptacle 314 between the housings, 110 a and 110 b. Moreover, when the face cover 12 is set in the front wall 110 d of the first housing 110 a as pushing the optical receptacle 314 against the rear wall 111 j, the tip of the protrusions 314 m may be crushed, which may reliably fix the optical receptacle 314 in the center area 111 a.

In the embodiments of the optical receptacle thus described, the lugs are each formed in a position measured from the front surface of the receptacle housing which is common to both lugs in respective side walls. However, the lugs in respective side walls may be arranged diagonally and the pockets 111 k corresponding to the lugs may be also formed diagonally in respective side walls 111 i. The diagonal arrangement of the lugs, 114 f, 214 f, and 314 f and the pockets 111 k may protect the optical receptacle, 114, 213 and 314, from being set reversely. Moreover, the conductive sheet, 14 and 114, described above is exemplarily shown by a metal plate; however, the conductive sheet may be a type of double layers of a rubber and a metal sheet. In such an example, the metal sheet is put between the optical receptacle 114, 214, and 314, and the rear wall 111 j such that the metal sheet comes in contact with the rear wall 111 j.

Next, a mechanism of the screw latch 16 will be described. As already described, the face cover 12 is fixed to the first housing 10 a with screws so as to expose the cavity of the optical receptacle 14 from the optical port 12 a of the face cover 12 as pushing the optical receptacle 14 against the rear wall 11 j of the first housing 10 a.

FIG. 27 shows the screw latch 16 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The screw latch 16 includes a bar portion 16 c with a knob 16 a in one end thereof and a thread 16 b in the other end which is engaged with the tapped hole of the host connector 3 a. The knob 16 a is provided for the manual operation for the optical transceiver 1. The bar portion 16 c further provides a ringed groove 16 e and a flange 16 f in a side of the knob 16 a. A coil spring is set between the ringed groove 16 e and the flange 16 f. The screw latch 16 is set in the side space 10 g formed in the rib 10 c of the first housing 10 a.

FIG. 28 magnifies a front portion of the first housing 10 a. The side groove 10 g includes a space 11 p with a width greater than rest portions of the groove 10 g. The space 11 p receives the portion between the ringed groove 16 e and the flange 16 f in which the coil sprig is set. The space 11 p provides a front step 11 x and a rear step 11 y. The front step 11 x faces the front surface of the flange 16 e, while, the rear step 11 y abuts against the coil spring. The coil spring pushes the screw latch 16 forward; accordingly, the knob 16 a is pushed forward by the action to release the engagement of the thread 16 b with the tapped hole of the host connector, which makes it clear that the optical transceiver 1 is released from the host system.

In a preferred modification, the screw latch 16 may provide a washer in the side of the flange 16 f to prevent the coil spring from rotating occurred in the rotation of the screw latch 16 to engage it with the tapped hole of the host connector 3 a. Specifically, the space 11 p is formed in rectangular and the plane shape of the washer may be rectangular, which prevent the washer from rotating in the space 11 p.

Referring to FIG. 28 again, the first housing 10 a provides the front wall 10 d with a lateral groove 11 r in the front surface thereof, which may be referred in FIG. 21B. The groove 11 r extends from the center, where the optical receptacle 14 is to be installed, to the side close to the knob 16 a. A latch bar 13 is set within the groove 11 r. FIG. 29 shows the latch bar 13 made of metal plate and includes a band portion 13 a, a hooked portion 13 b, and a pushed portion 13 c. The pushed portion 13 c is bent rearward, while the hooked portion 13 b is stepped forward.

The latch bar 13 may further include an elastic portion 13 d in the middle of the band portion 13 a. The elastic portion 13 d extends up and down and causes a lateral pressure to the latch bar 13, that is, the latch bar 13 is pushed toward the optical receptacle 14 by the elastic portion 13 d. The front wall 10 d of the first housing 10 a may further provide in the front surface thereof another groove 11 s extending up and down to receive the elastic portion 13 d of the latch bar 13. The elastic portion 13 d may be bent in the groove 11 s.

On the other hand, the optical receptacles shown in FIGS. 22A to 22C, 26A and 26B, may provide cuts, 114 p, and 314 p, in the side wall thereof to pass the latch bar 13. The pushed portion 13 c of the latch bar 13 protrudes into the cavity of the optical receptacle, as passing the band portion 13 a thereof through the cut of the optical receptacle. The pushed portion 13 c is bent rearward in the cavity.

FIG. 30A is a cross section of the front portion of the optical transceiver 1 when the optical transceiver 1 is free from the host system 2, that is, the screw latch 16 is disengaged with the tapped hole. FIG. 30B is a front view of the optical transceiver 1, which removes the face cover 12 to show the front wall 10 d thereof. As described above, the latch bar 13 is pushed toward the optical receptacle 14 by the elastic force of the elastic portion 13 d. When the cavity 14B is free from an external optical connector 100, that is the cavity 14B does not receive the external connecter 100, the latch bar 13 in the pushed portion 13 c protrudes into the cavity 14B.

Under the arrangement described above when the screw latch 16 is free from the tapped hole, the insertion of the external connector 100 into the cavity 14B may be prevented because the tip of the hooked portion 13 b abuts against the screw latch 16 and the pushed portion 13 c is left within the cavity 14B. On the other hand, when the screw latch 16 is engaged with the tapped hole, the tip of the hooked portion 13 b is aligned with the ringed groove 16 e of the screw latch 16. Inserting the external connector 100 into the cavity 14B, the external connector 100 pushes the pushed portion 13 c of the latch bar 13 and the tip of the hooked portion 13 b thereof may be escaped into the ringed groove 16 e. Moreover, when the tip of the hooked portion 13 b is escaped into the ringed groove 16 e, the screw latch 16 is unable to be disengaged with the tapped hole, because the hooked portion 13 b prevents the screw latch 16 from moving frontward.

Accordingly, the optical transceiver 1 of the present embodiment, when the external connector 100 is mated with the optical receptacle 14, which means that the optical transceiver 1 is engaged with the host system 2 by screwing the latch bar 16 with the tapped hole of the host system 2, may prevent two cases, one of which is that the external connector is unable to be inserted into the optical receptacle 14 when the optical transceiver 1 is free from the host system 2, and the other case is that the optical transceiver 1 is unable to be extracted from the host system 2 when the external connector 100 is engaged with the optical receptacle 14.

The elastic portion 13 d shows a function of a leaf spring, that is, as shown in FIG. 30D, the elastic portion 13 d is bent by the insertion of the external connector 100 into the optical receptacle 14, and the elastic portion 13 d pushes back the latch bar 13 as the cavity 14B becomes vacant. Although the figures only show a case that the latch bar 13 has the bent pushed portion 13 c, the pushed portion 13 c may has an arched shape.

Second Embodiment

Next, a process to assembly the optical transceiver 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The process described below assumes a condition that the optical transceiver 1 provides the housing 100, the front tray 124, the rear tray 136, and the inner connector 126 of the second embodiment.

The process first installs the rear tray 136 on the fourth section R₄, the optical multiplexer 20 and the optical demultiplexer 22 on respective positions. Then, the process wires the inner fibers, F₂ to F₈.

As shown in FIG. 31A, setting the inner fiber F₆ extended from the optical multiplexer 20 within the grooves, G₂ and G₄, formed in the sections, R₂ and R₃, of the transmitter side, the inner fiber F₆ is extended to the fourth section R₄. Guiding the fiber F₆ along the rear tray 136 to turn to the receiver side, and drawing along the side of the receiver side, the fiber F₆ reaches the first section R₁. Eaves 136 c provided in the rear tray 136 may prevent the fiber F₆ from straying out. Various eaves 136 c in the rear tray 136 may be optionally used depending on the surplus length of the inner fiber F₆.

As shown in FIG. 31B, setting the inner fiber F₈ extended from the optical demultiplexer 22 within the grooves, G₂ and G₄, formed in the sections, R₂ and R₃, of the receiver side, the inner fiber F₈ is extended to the fourth section R₄. Guiding the fiber F₈ along the rear tray 136 to turn to the transmitter side, and drawing along the side of the transmitter side, the fiber F₈ reaches the first section R₁. Eaves 136 c provided in the rear tray 136 may prevent the fiber F₈ from straying out. Various eaves 136 c in the rear tray 136 may be optionally used depending on the surplus length of the inner fiber F₈.

The inner fibers F₆ and F₈ may be installed with a ferrule 20 b, a coil spring 20 a and a flange 20 d in advance to the wiring thereof.

Next, the process may draw the inner fiber F₂ extended from the optical multiplexer 20 within the grooves, G₂ to G₆, to the fourth section R₄ as shown in FIG. 31C. Guiding the fiber F₂ along the rear tray 136 toward the receiver side, then the fiber F₂ is set in one of the grooves, G₂S or G₂L, corresponding to the type of the optical receptacle 14 to be mounted in the center area 111 a. The eaves 136 c in the rear tray 136 may guide the inner fiber F₂ and prevent the fiber F₂ from straying out. Various eaves 136 c may be also optionally used depending on a length of the fiber F₂.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 31D, the inner fiber F₄ output from the optical demultiplexer 22 is guided in the grooves, G₂ to G₆, in second and third sections, R₂ and 3, to the front end of the fourth section R₄. In the fourth section R₄, the inner fiber F₄ is bent along the rear tray 136 toward transmitter side, and is guided in one of the grooves, G₂S and G₂L, depending on the type of the optical receptacle 14 to the center area 111 a. The eaves 136 c may also prevent the inner fiber F₄ from straying out. Various eaves 136 c may be optionally used depending on a length of the fiber F₄.

The optical receptacle 114 may build, in advance to the wiring of the inner fibers, F₂ and F₄, the receptacle housing 114 a and the sleeve holder 114 b with the conductive sheet 114 c. Subsequent to the wiring of the inner fibers, F₂ to F₈, the sleeve 20 c is inserted into the opening 114 h in the rear wall 114 e of the optical receptacle 114 through the opening 114 r in the conductive sheet 114 c. The optical receptacle 114, thus assembled with the sleeves, 20 c and 22 c, are mounted on the center area 111 a of the first housing 110 a. In this process, the lugs 114 f prepared in the side wall of the optical receptacle 114 are set within the pocket 111 k.

Then, the front tray 126 is fixed on the second section R₂. The inner fibers F₆ wired in the side end of the receiver side are drawn under the ceiling 124 s of the front tray 124, drawn under the front eaves 124 x to the transmitter side, and finally guided in respective slots 124 a of the front tray 124. Each fiber F₆ is guided by the guide walls, 124 t and 124 u, the front wall 124 v, the front eaves 124 x, and slot eaves 124 d. While, the other inner fibers F₈, which are wired in the side of the transmitter side, are drawn under the ceiling 124 s, under the front eaves 124 x to the receiver side, and finally guided to respective slots 124 a. Each fiber F₈ is also guided by the guide walls, 124 t and 124 u, the front wall and eaves, 112 v and 124 x, and respective slot eaves 124 d. Thus, the inner fibers, F₆ and F₈, may be wired without straying out, as shown in FIG. 32.

Next, the process assembles the inner connectors 126 with the front tray 124. Specifically, the latch finger 124 b of the front tray 124 is inserted into the groove 126 e of the inner connector 126, and temporarily sets the end of the ferrule 20 b in a position where the inner fiber F₆ may optically couple with the OSA, 30 and 32. FIG. 33B corresponds to the coupling position. Then, sliding the inner connector 126 frontward such that the tip of the latch finger 124 b is set in the second pocket 126 n, the ferrule 20 b does not interfere with the installation of the OSAs, 30 and 32. FIG. 33A corresponds to this escaped position.

Next, the latch unit 128 is set in its regular position and the OSAs, 30 and 32 are set in the latch unit 128, as shown in FIG. 34. In advance to the installation of the circuit board 18, the OSAs, 30 and 32 are connected with respective FPCs 18 d. Mounting the circuit board 118 on the first housing 110 a, and inserting the rib 19 e of the plug board 19 into the groove 10 v of the first housing 10 a, the optical and electrical components are installed on the first housing 10 a. In advance to the installation of the circuit board 18, the gasket 34 b may be set within the groove 101, and the metal cover 35 may be set in the groove 10 v.

Sliding the inner connector 126 rearward so that the tip of the latch finger 124 b is set in the first pocket 126 m in the groove 126 e of the inner connector 126, and engaging the projection 128 c of the latch unit 128 with the opening 126 d of the inner connector 126, the tip of the ferrule 20 b may come in physically contact with the stub 30 u in the OSA, 30 and 32.

Finally, the face cover 12 is fixed to the first housing 110 a as putting the optical receptacle 14 between the face cover 12 and the rear wall 111 j of the center area 111 a. Setting the other gasket 34 a in the groove 111 m of the second housing 110 b and the other metal cover 35 in the groove 11 v, and fixing the second housing 110 b to the first housing 110 a, the optical transceiver 1 may be completed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical transceiver, comprising: an optical subassembly; an inner fiber having a ferrule and an elastic member at one end thereof, said ferrule including a flange; a tray for guiding said inner fiber; and an inner connector configured to receive said one end of said inner fiber, to be assembled with a stopper so as to hold said elastic member within said inner connector, to be movably supported by said tray, and to be engaged with said optical subassembly through a latch unit, wherein said inner connector is movable between a retreated position and a coupled position.
 2. The optical transceiver of claim 1, wherein said inner connector makes said ferrule to couple optically with said optical subassembly at said coupled position, and does not interfere with an installation of said latch unit with said optical subassembly at said retreated position.
 3. The optical transceiver of claim 1, wherein said inner connector provides a groove configured to receive a latch finger of said tray, and wherein said groove provides projections to determine said retreated position and said coupled position.
 4. The optical transceiver of claim 3, wherein said groove provides two projections, and wherein said retreated position is determined between deeper projection and an end wall of said groove, and said coupled position is determined between two projections.
 5. The optical transceiver of claim 3, wherein said groove provides three projections, and wherein said retreated position is determined between a deepest projection and an end wall of said groove, and said coupled position is determined between shallowest projection and an intermediate projection.
 6. The optical transceiver of claim 1, wherein said inner connector provides a first portion to receive said inner fiber, a second portion to receive said elastic member and said flange, and a partition wall for dividing said first portion from said second portion, and wherein said elastic member is set between said partition wall and said flange so as to push out a portion of said ferrule beyond an end of said stopper.
 7. The optical transceiver of claim 1, wherein said optical transceiver includes a plurality of optical subassemblies, a plurality of inner fibers each corresponding to one of said optical subassemblies, a plurality of inner connectors each coupled with one of said inner fibers, and a latch unit, wherein said tray provides a plurality of slots each guiding one of said inner fibers therein and providing a pair of latch fingers for supporting one of said inner connectors, wherein said latch unit includes a plurality of slots each installing one of said optical subassemblies and having a pair of fingers for engaging with one of said inner connectors, and wherein each of said inner connectors is movable between said retreated position and said coupled position.
 8. A connector assembly, comprising: a latch unit for supporting an optical subassembly, said latch unit including a pair of latch fingers; an inner fiber having a ferrule and a coil spring at one end portion thereof, said coil spring having an end which abuts against a flange of said ferrule; a connector housing having a first space, a second space, and a center partition for partitioning said first and second spaces, said first space receiving said one end portion of said inner fiber as another end of said coil spring abuts against said center partition, said second space securing said inner fiber continuous to said one end portion, wherein said first space of said connector housing is engaged with said latch fingers of said latch unit to optically couple said inner fiber with said optical subassembly.
 9. The connector assembly of claim 8, wherein said first space of said connector housing provides a pair of side latches each supported by said center partition, and wherein each of said latch fingers is engaged with respective side latches of said connector housing.
 10. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein each of said side latches has a U-shaped cross section, and wherein each of said latch fingers of said latch unit is secured within said U-shaped cross section.
 11. The connector assembly of claim 8, further comprising a ferrule stopper supported by said connector housing, said ferrule stopper having a beam, wherein said ferrule stopper prevents said ferrule, said flange and said coil spring from disassembling, and wherein said ferrule, said flange, and said coil spring are set between said center partition and said beam of said ferrule stopper.
 12. The connector assembly of claim 11, wherein said ferrule stopper provides a U-shaped cross section with said beam and two legs each extending from said beam, wherein said ferrule passes an opening provided in said beam and said flange abuts against said beam.
 13. The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein said legs of said ferrule stopper provide respective tabs each latched with said connector housing. 